Five points were now belatedly awarded for any try-scoring endeavour from this tournament onwards. Another disappointing season appeared to be on the cards when an Eric Elwood-inspired Ireland pulled a rabbit out of the hat by not only winning in Cardiff again, but then dismantling the hyped English invaders. Was this the dawning of a new era or just an oasis of success in a decade of woe? Time would tell.

SCOTLAND 15 IRELAND 3; 16th February; at Murrayfield

15 Wilkinson

14 Geoghegan

13 Cunningham

12 Danaher

11 Wallace

10 Malone [penalty]

9 Bradley (c)

8 Mannion

7 McBride

6 Lawlor

5 Costello

4 Johns

3 McCarthy

2 Smith

1 Popplewell

Two first-half tries from the wingers Tony Stanger and Derek Stark comfortably put this 'contest' to an early bed.

IRELAND 6 FRANCE 21; 20th February; at Lansdowne Road

15 Clarke

14 Geoghegan

13 Cunningham

12 Danaher

11 Wallace

10 Malone [2 penalties]

9 Bradley (c)

8 Francis

7 McBride

6 O'Hara

5 Galwey

4 Johns

3 Clohessy

2 Kingston

1 Popplewell

Philippe Saint-Andre and Philippe Sella scored the only tries to separate the teams. It had been 6-6 at the halfway stage.

WALES 14 IRELAND 19; 6th March; at Cardiff Arms Park

15 Clarke [drop goal]

14 Wallace

13 Cunningham

12 Danaher

11 Geoghegan

10 Elwood [3 penalties, conversion]

9 Bradley (c)

8 Robinson [TRY]

7 McBride

6 O'Hara

5 Galwey

4 Johns

3 Clohessy

2 Kingston

1 Popplewell

A first-half effort from big Brian Robinson was Ireland's first try of the tournament. Ireland led 13-6 at half time.

IRELAND 17 ENGLAND 3; 20th March; at Lansdowne Road

15 Clarke

14 Wallace

13 Cunningham

12 Danaher

11 Geoghegan

10 Elwood [2 drop goals, 2 penalties]

9 Bradley (c)

8 Robinson

7 McBride

6 O'Hara

5 Galwey [TRY]

4 Johns

3 Clohessy

2 Kingston

1 Popplewell

This match had been deadlocked at 3-3 after forty minutes, but Mick Galwey had the final say in this surprise triumph.